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CommonGoals Software
intuitive...insightful...innovative
software solutions
  • Home
  • TEA (The Exceptional Assistant)
    • Core Modules
      • Client Module
      • Loan Module
      • Project Module
      • Reporting Module
    • Add-On Modules
    • FAQ
    • Product Demos
  • SERVICES
  • TRAINING
    • Training Options
    • Training Schedules
  • SUPPORT
    • Support Centre
    • Open a Support Ticket
    • TEA Knowledgebase
    • Community Forums
  • ABOUT US
    • Our Company
    • Our Customers
    • Events
    • Investors
    • Careers at CGS
    • Our Policies
  • CONTACT US

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is The Exceptional Assistant?

The Exceptional Assistant is a complete client, business, project and loan management system specifically designed for non-profit and alternative lending agencies, including Community Futures and Business Development organizations.

What type of modules are available for TEA? Do I need to purchase a whole package, or can I just get the modules I need?

CommonGoals offers several modules for TEA. Core modules include: Client, Loan, Business, Project, Custom Report Builder as well as a Calendar and Rolodex module. Other modules available as add-ons include: Credit, Escrow, Participation, Investor, Grant, Electronic Funds Transfer as well as two reporting modules, CDFI/CIIS and EDMIS.

TEA comes with the Core Modules noted above, however you can add on as many or as few of the additional modules that you need.

What types of interest calculation methods does TEA support?

TEA uses the common interest formulas for simple interest, compounded interest and mortgage interest. You can also download a PDF with details about TEA’s interest calculation methods (53K).  
Simple Interest calculation:
Interest = Principal x Annual Rate of interest x Time elapsed =x (days) / y (days in year)

Compounded Interest Calculation: Loan balances are calculated by determining the future value of the loan. The future values are calculated using the equivalent daily interest rate id.

Mortgage Interest Calculation: Future Value of Loan = Loan Amount + (Loan Amount x Id x cumulitve days).

There are a number of reports that came with TEA. What can I do if I need a different report or report template?

Although TEA comes with over 100 reports installed, you are not limited to only those reports. Anyone with a valid support contract can access a large number of reports available in our Custom Report Repository.  Most of these reports, including TEA’s core reports can be modified or “tweaked” to your specific needs.  Also, the Custom Report Builder module gives you the ultimate power and flexibility to easily design any type of report that you require for your organization.

Can TEA be integrated with my accounting software?

Yes. General Journal information can be exported to many popular accounting software formats including Simply Accounting, Quickbooks, AccPac, Fundware and Peachtree. If your accounting software isn’t noted here, don’t worry!  Just contact us to find out if TEA is compatible.

Can TEA handle loans from different loan funds?

Yes! TEA’s easy- to-use Administration Module allows you to customize a variety of loan funds as required for your organization.  Loans can be disbursed from one or many funds.  We also provide transactions to transfer amounts between funds.

What kind of technical support do you offer after I purchase the program?

Our experienced and dedicated, in-house technical support team is accessible by phone, fax and e-mail whenever help is needed.  Online help resources available 24/7.   We are focused on helping you get the most out of your investment and getting you back on track quickly when any issues arise.  Our TEA Support Team regularly participates in training sessions to make sure they are up-to-date on all of the latest features and developments to best serve our clients.

We have many people in our office that would benefit from TEA. Unfortunately it is not possible to send all of them on training and it’s too time-consuming to bring everyone up to speed on new software. Do you offer any training solutions that would help?

With a typical installation, we spend about three days with an organization to ensure that the implementation is complete.  This is the best time to arrange some basic training for your team. In addition, we offer a variety of online training programs and courses throughout the year which provide you with the latest tips and tricks to make the most out of the program – without the expense of travelling. Live group training options are also available as well as private instruction for your organization.  See our full range of training option here.

Our existing data is in MS Excel and Access. We’d love to use a different system but are concerned that it would be too complicated to start all over with another system.

Whether you use manual ledgers, a combination of spreadsheets and databases or even another software package, we can accumulate and consolidate all the data from the various sources and create an accurate data file for your organization.  Our Data Migration specialists will ensure that your existing data is migrated accurately and seamlessly into your new software solution.

Is it possible to “test drive” the software before we buy it?

We no longer offer demo installations of our software, but you can request a free, personalized online demo with one of our experts so you can see TEA in action and explore all of TEA’s features and add-ons that may be of interest.  We want you to be confident in your decision so a personal demo provided you the opportunity to ask as many questions as you have and to effectively see what TEA can do.

Still have questions? Call us today at 800-354-5152 and ask away!

More Info

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Want to see TEA in action?

We regularly host no-obligation, interactive, online demos of our TEA software so you can get your first look at our software and some of its most sought-after features.  Check out our scheduled demos or contact our Sales Manager at 800-354-5152 Ext. 2 to arrange a personal demo.

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What our customers are saying

  • We have dealt with CommonGoals Software for 15 years. They have provided TEA software for the CBDC Network. Both the software and their support services have been excellent and allowed our network to streamline processes, reporting to stakeholders and centralize all client services in one efficient database. Additionally, CGS has provided custom development services creating an integrated website for all stakeholder reporting required for the program.

    Brian LeBlanc
    Atlantic Association of CBDCs

  • TEA has been the backbone of our organization for client services and lending activity for a decade. It creates efficiency for the majority of the processes we require and has provided all the required management and funder reports for our operations.

    Mike Wilcocks
    Tecumseh Development Corporation

  • TEA greatly streamlines many processes for our team, especially for those who are working remotely. In addition, the TEA Support Team has provided us with extraordinary support and is always a pleasure to deal with.

    Clint Gwin
    President, Pathway Lending (CDFI)

  • TEA has been extremely helpful in producing our reporting requirements to our funders.  It greatly saves us time and the reports are customizable to provide exactly what we need.

    John Mercola
    Business Development Corporation

  • I have been a strong supporter of TEA within the CF family of organizations. I find it is a very useful tool and the CGS team is always very helpful and quick to resolve issues as they may arise. TEA has streamlined our organization’s data management immensely in the past 5 years and I see CGS as our partner in data management solutions; developing resources that create efficiencies.

    Vickie Newmeyer
    GM, Community Futures Meridian Region

Contact Info

  • CommonGoals Software
  • 193 Water St. West, Suite 301 Prescott, ON Canada K0E 1T0
  • 800-354-5152
  • 613-925-2498
  • sales@commongoals.com

Company Info

CommonGoals Software is a software development company that develops and sells custom software solutions and related services to community-focused, government and non-traditional lending agencies across North America.

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